Troops
Noun. Receptacle for pro forma thanks and support of candidates who hope to choose the date and location of the next devastatingly bloody, intrinsically un-winnable war.
Corndog
Noun. Used in the treatment of mild to moderate plutocratic vibes. Taken by mouth every three months, usually while wearing jeans and standing in front of one of the following: agricultural equipment; butter-sculpted ungulates; a crowd of people wearing plaid.
“It’s time we did something about ____.”
Phrase. “If I’m elected, and no objections are lodged by any of the rich people/organizations whose money I’m using to get elected, I will commission a report in order to discover which sacrifices the American people will refuse to make in order to fix ____.”
“I stand with ____.”
Phrase. “Either key voting blocs stand with ____, or ____ enticed/blackmailed me with something I want/did.”
Traditional
Adjective. Logically and evidentially unsupportable, but popular with a substantial chunk of the electorate.
God
Noun. Author and animator of reality; architect of the burning, swelling macrocosm in which are suspended all things knowable and not. Name-dropped to modestly-but-reliably beneficial effect in response to questions about history of dubious judgment/ethics/sexual habits.